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Early goal a hammer blow for Carver

Newcastle United head coach John Carver was left to rue the dismal start his side made in a 5-0 defeat to Manchester City on Saturday.

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Written ByChristopher Devine

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John Carver acknowledged that Newcastle United's plans to
contain Manchester City went "straight out the window" when Vurnon
Anita conceded a first-minute penalty on Saturday.

Newcastle were on the receiving end of a heavy beating at the
Etihad Stadium as the reigning champions closed to within five
points of Premier League leaders Chelsea with a hugely convincing
5-0 victory.

David Silva struck twice in the second half for Manuel
Pellegrini's side, yet much of the damage was done early on as City
moved three goals up inside 21 minutes.

The hosts' first goal - from Sergio Aguero - came courtesy of a
spot-kick awarded as a result of Anita tripping Edin Dzeko in the
area with less than 30 seconds on the clock.

"All the plans that you put in place through the week go
straight out the window," Carver told BBC Sport when asked about
Aguero's opener.

"We knew they were going to press us, straight from the
kick-off. They put us under pressure. We didn't deal with it.

"We tried to play through our midfield, into Vurn Anita. He
turned back on the ball and before you know it, it's a penalty, so
you're in a difficult situation after one minute.

"You shoot yourself in the foot and it’s an uphill task straight
away."

Carver expressed sympathy with Newcastle's travelling
supporters.

"I don't think it was a lack of effort. I think we were just
outplayed," he added.

"We knew it was going to be tough, but it's so disappointing.
We've got a group of travelling fans who've come all the way down
here and within a minute you're one-nil down and within 12 minutes
you're two-nil down.

"Away from home against one of the top sides, the defending
champions, that's not good enough.

"The players can go away and have a think about their own
performance and I'll go away and have a think about my performance,
because I'm taking some of the blame for this, without a shadow of
a doubt.

"People can blame other people, but it's about sticking together
and making sure that we put it right."